Civil Society & Corporate Strategies

Civil Society & Corporate Strategies

Civil society is the wide array of non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations.

— World Bank

CIVIL SOCIETY EXAMPLES

NGOs, non-profit organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs) that have an organised structure or activity, and are typically registered entities and groups e.g. WWF

Online groups and activities including social media communities that can be “organised” but do not necessarily have physical, legal or financial structures

Social movements of collective action and/or identity, which can be online or physical e.g. Arab Spring

Religious leaders, faith communities, and faith-based organisations

Labour unions and labour organisations representing workers

Social entrepreneurs employing innovative and/or market oriented approaches for social and environmental outcomes

Definitions are changing as civil society is recognised as encompassing far more than a mere “sector” dominated by the NGO community: civil society today includes an ever wider and more vibrant range of organised and unorganised groups, as new civil society actors blur the boundaries between sectors and experiment with new organisational forms, both online and off.

Roles are also changing: civil society actors are demonstrating their value as facilitators, conveners and innovators as well as service providers and advocates, while the private sector is playing an increasingly visible and effective role in tackling societal challenges. Renewed interest in the role of faith is identifying powerful sources of social capital.

Furthermore, the context for civil society is changing: economic and geopolitical power is shifting away from Europe and North America; technology is disrupting traditional funding models and dramatically shifting social engagement; and political pressures are restricting the space for civil society activities in many countries. All of these shifts pose challenges, create opportunities and require rapid adaptation on the part of traditional actors.

CASE STUDY OF THE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN ONE COUNTRY (USA) FOCUSING ON THE ACTIONS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL STAKEHOLDERS

CIVIL SOCIETY

Greenpeace, a civil society organisation, campaigned to stop Arctic drilling off the coast of Alaska in 2015. Shell decided not to return to the arctic following unsuccessful drilling attempts and mounting civil society pressure.

Research Greenpeace and outline their actions in the USA to combat climate change.

CORPORATE STRATEGIES

90 global companies are responsible for two thirds of global climate emissions. Commitments by corporations to reduce emissions are an important step in responding to climate change.

THE AMERICAN BUSINESS ACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

81 companies have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge to demonstrate their support for action on climate change. These 81 companies have operations in all 50 states, employ over 9 million people, represent more than $3 trillion in annual revenue, and have a combined market capitalisation of over $5 trillion.